Here’s a bold statement: the light-heavyweight division is on the brink of a seismic shift, and David Benavidez might just be the man to shake things up. But here’s where it gets controversial—can he dethrone the dominant Dmitry Bivol? Let’s dive in.
If David Benavidez, the undefeated powerhouse with a record of 30-0 (24 KOs), is to claim the top spot in the light-heavyweight division, he’ll likely need to go through Dmitry Bivol. And this is the part most people miss—while a showdown between these two boxing giants isn’t imminent, it could move closer to reality if Benavidez successfully defends his WBC light-heavyweight title against Anthony Yarde on November 22 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Interestingly, Bivol vacated this very title to avoid facing his mandatory challenger—Benavidez himself.
Both Bivol and Benavidez are titans of the sport, and their potential clash has the boxing world buzzing. Enter Oscar De La Hoya, the legendary six-weight world champion turned promoter, who recently shared his thoughts on this hypothetical matchup. Speaking to Fight Hub TV, De La Hoya couldn’t contain his excitement, letting out a heartfelt “wow” before breaking down why he’d favor Benavidez.
“Wow… That’s a tough one,” De La Hoya admitted. “I’d lean toward Benavidez because he’s more active, throws a higher volume of punches, and has superior footwork compared to [Artur] Beterbiev. He’s sharper mentally, knows how to adapt mid-fight, and thinks strategically. I’d give the edge to Benavidez.”
Here’s the kicker: a victory over Bivol (24-1, 12 KOs) or Beterbiev (21-1, 20 KOs) would cement Benavidez’s legacy. The two Russian champions have already traded wins against each other, though a trilogy fight is on hold as Bivol recovers from back surgery. If Benavidez, known as “The Mexican Monster,” retains his title against Yarde, he could very well set his sights on either of these former undisputed light-heavyweight champions.
But wait—there’s a twist. De La Hoya has floated another idea: he’d like to see Benavidez move up to cruiserweight to challenge his unified champion, Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez. Is this a smarter move for Benavidez, or should he stay in his current division? Let’s spark some debate—what do you think? Would Benavidez stand a better chance against Bivol, Beterbiev, or Ramirez? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
